San Francisco State University Top Questions

Before finding the right college, one has to find the right major, and then the right environment to study in. if you don't know your major at least pick something that you really love doing in life. "People rarely succeed at anything unless they are having fun doing it", I read that a while ago and it stuck with me, this statement resonates even more in our day and age. Picking the right environment is really important, a healthy condusive environment for learnig, the most important aspect of higher leraning is the ability to voice your opinion without being judged. Last but not least I say go for it and have fun, and remember not to worry and ask for help, you'll be surprised how eager people are willing to extend a hand, just don't be afraid to ask. Good luck, and hard work!

I would advise parents and/or students to go to a college where the environment is compatible with there personality because I think a persons surounding environment plays a huge role in either liking or disliking their college experience.

Visit all colleges you want to go to and talk to the current students. Go visit the housing areas.

Finding the right school is an exciting step, but it is into uncharted territory. For students right of high school, the exciting prospect of being away from home for the first time is postmarked on their applications. While its always a good motivator, it shouldn't cloud your judgement. When a choice is finally made, you must want it. But remember that party schools will swallow up years and leave a student exhausted and directionless. Trust me, this comes from Andrew W.K. himself. No one knows what they will be doing after college. But our lives are placed in tracks that we must follow, and if we fall of we are ashamed. However personal growth can only come from stepping away from the tracks. Instead of worrying about the future, think of what you'd rather be doing today. Where do you want to go? What do you want to change? Who do you want to meet? Most colleges have answers to these questions in the form of classes, and extra-curricular programs. Why not study abroad? People only work well as long as they are doing what they are wanting to do. Don't "work," just "do" right.

-Find a college that is not impacted with students and not effected by budget cuts (CSU's, in CA) -visit to your teachers office hours (often), they want to help you as a student...thats what they do..and the more that they get to know you and your situation the more they would like to help you. -dont look for party schools because EVERY school has parties and social life...look for school that you can actually get a good education and the parties/drinking/parties will always be there...anywhere. -if you have the money go to a private school because you can actually graduate in 4 years instead of 6 because of the impacted CSU system in CA. -get your general education classes (GE) done at a community college becuase it is cheaper and faster, then transfer to a four year to complete degree/major (this is very important, and I suggest it to everyone thining about attending college). -find a school which fits you the best in what you want in life/education..not based on other criteria. -research the school before applying because different schools help you out more than others after you graduate.

College is expected to be a time of growth, experience, and learning. With such high stakes, it feels impossible to make the correct decision about where to attend. At the culmination of High School, one is expected to choose such a determinate experience. But there is no perfect college, just the perfect college for you.

You have to go and visit the colleges you're looking at as well as the city/town that surrounds them. If you aren't happy in the environment where your school is you can't be happy at school.

To students: try and find a college which fits you best. The best college is one you'll enjoy and suits your personality. It isn't necessarily the one which provides the highest education. Plan carefully. In this economy, there's little chance for mistakes when it comes to picking classes so make sure you seek advice. In order to make the most out of your education, make sure you focus on school while having fun. There is definitely a balance, and it is key to find it. To parents: support you children as much as you can. If your able to provide in any way finicially, anything helps really. And try and avoid student loans. It's something I'm already anxious about personally. This is a once in a lifetime experience, educationally, socially, and individually, so take from it as much as you can while you can.

Visit as many campuses as you can, get a feel for each. Open your mind to possibilities. What you think you'll like many not be what you finally decide on. Trust your students/childs decision...it is their decision for their success.

The advice i would give to parents/students about finding the right college and making the most of the college experience is to research and get involved. Chances are most people want to meet new people so just put yourself out there. Reasearch the specific college you would like to go to and make sure its right for you. An example would be UC DAVIS, there social life is greek life in contrast to SFSU which does have a greek life but is not as strong. Your college experience is what you make of it.

I would encourage students to look not only the availability of classes for their selected majors, but also at student life on and off campus. Students should see if the activites that students at their prospective college partake in intresest them because no matter how great academically a school maybe, if a student can't find a fufilling social life, then their college experience won't be as good as it could. If a student finds themself unsure of what they want or if they are even ready for college they should look into oncampus living as an option, because its a great transition from living at home to living on your own. The most important thing to making the most of your college experience is for students to learn how to ask for what you want and make it happen yourself, no one is going to do it for you and its your life so make it happen.

Research degrees of interest at the school. Take college campus tours. Explore the city. Meet people. Don't be lazy. Do well and do good.

there are ups and downs for all colleges this isnt a bad colege but it would be better if you can register ur class early like being in a program SSS

If possible, parents should make sure they have enough money to provide expenses. By doing this, students will be able to focus on their school work and prepare themselves for the real world. Plan plan plan, students must know exactly what they want to acheive acadamic-wise and plan their schedule ahead of time. Always have a back-up plan to your plan, as schools are often getting budget cuts from government, you never know what is going to happen. Students should make new friends as often as possible, networking is a very important part of college life, with a strong network, you will know what class and teacher to register for, and those that you should avoid. Along with friends, you will also be more encouraged to go to school and participate in activities that will help you gain experience and have something on your resume.

I would say make sure you truly are happy and satisfied with the college that you want to attend.

STUDENTS: college is daunting, no matter where you go. it's easy to feel lost and alone at first. GET INVOLVED. join a club, start volunteering, get involved in research, whatever you want!! don't be afraid to be yourself, and don't rush choosing a major; put it off as long as you possibly can! The older you get, the more likely you are to choose a major that actually interests you! If you stay at a school for two years and still don't like it, it's time to transfer. It generally takes a year to a year and a half to feel comfortable at a school, make friends, and start to understand what you need to do in order to make your way to graduation. PARENTS: DO NOT push your child to go to a school that they don't seem to want to attend... let them go wherever, because in the end its their happines you are jeopardizing, not your own! Keep in touch with them, make sure they are handling everything okay... remember what it was like to go to college when you were 18!!

Make sure that your children's interests come before yours or you'll end up wasting time and money. And students should look at all available schools not just universitites you could save alot of money going to a junior college.

Look into not just the programs offered, but who teaches to classes as well. Good and experienced faculty can have a huge impact on education. Even the most expensive universities can have faculty that do nothing but teach and are not active in their field of study. This can affect readiness to enter the "real" world.

I would say listen to your children. Hear what they are interested in and the school that makes them happy for both you and your child. Please do not limit your child but ask them what school they want to go then together discuss pros and cons for schools (e.g. atmosphere, education, or tuition). When both you and your child come to an agreement then be active in suporting your child in finding resources for that school.

Apply apply apply. I didn't apply to enough schools, and didn't get a good sample size from which to pick from. Don't consider the financial impact. You can make it work, and you'll push yourself to make it happen. If all you worry about is money you won't be able to get yourself where you want to be. Take out loans, sell your dog, and get into a college you can be proud of. When in college, join your debate team. Nothing else will make you better prepared academically, and allow you to shoot above and beyond what your classes offer you. Create a student organization, it'll let you know your department and fellow students, and provide you essential extracurricular activities on your resume. When you come on to campus, consult your school newspaper and seniors and find out the "what not to do" - for my school living on campus is a terrible idea, but it's a mistake you can get sucked into. Lastly, have fun, and protect yourself, you're on your own now, and you're going to love it.

Look for a school that fits your major and that you think you will like in terms of education, location, and price.

Try to find a school that reflects your currrent social-economic environment. You will be able to communicate better with advisors, faculty, and other students. You will also know what to expect for your time you spend at this school. The more time your spend on their website and even walking around the school prior to registration is invaluable. If possible, try to attend a summer session that can give you a feel for that particular school. Being flexible is very necessary in dealing with the academic environment. Prepare to face a few egos who have been here a long, long, long, time. Keep in touch with your family and old high school friends to help make the transition to college life.

Just choose one: I'm sure you'd be surprised about what you can learn.

Figure out how to balance your social life and academic life early on and realize you're going to have to do a lot more studying than you expect. There's plenty of good times to party, but take it from me, school nights are not among those.

Be true to who you are and make your goals fit your desires. The worst thing to witness is a student struggling, not with the amount of work, but with the subject of the work and their lack of REAL interest in that subject. Go to a college that suits your personal and academic needs, while also enabling you to get a real college experience without too much of a struggle to make it financially or scholastically. Remember that transfers are always and option if you find yourself at a school that is a poor match for your expectations. Do not force yourself to stick out 4 years in a place that doesn't allow you to thrive!

Not to pressure the child because college is already hard and forcing them to pick their major or to get into the program that is required to finish their major can be really irrating and frustrating for them to the point where they are overly stress and cannot deal with it anymore. be more relaxful with them and let them go on with their own pace because no matter what they finally got into collee which is the goal from the beginning.

knowledge is power. Education is a most important aspect in one's quest to better themselves, to become positive active members in a colorful social fabric. Going to college just because you have too can work out, but it could be a much more exciting and valuable experience if the student knows what their passion is, because it is important that one loves the work they do, and have fun with it too. Southwest Airlines mission statement reads "People rarely succeed at anything unless they are having fun doing it". Then comes the college experience, well: that's all up to the student to make the most out of it, but it's important to remember a few things. We live in a world inundated with information, but with focus and diligence one can find what's pertinent. I can't emphesize enough how important networking is, getting to know people in your field. keep good relations with instructors in your department, they are the ones that are going to recommend you , or maybe find you a job. Best of all, breathe, enjoy, and know that your life is going to change for the better!

My best advice is to choose the college that has the best enviornment to help you learn and enhance your college experience to the fullest. College is not only about academics but its is also about finding yourself as a person and meeting people who will encourage you to become a better person.

It is really hard to give someone advice, since everyones needs and desires are different. I needed to stay in the area therefore that is why I choose San Francisco State, I did not have to comute far and it was close to my other commitments, wich allowed me to complete school, while continuing to work. I think the most improtant thing to do why applying for schools, is to ensure that you are picking a school that is going to fullfill your needs, whatever they may be. Do your research yourself, do go by word of mouth.

Although it is expensive to apply to colleges, I would recommend that students apply to many. During the course of my senior year, what I wanted in a college and what I wanted to major in changed drastically. When it came time to choose from the schools that I was accepted to, I was disappointed to only have three choices, none of which seemed to fit perfectly. I would advise incoming freshmen to visit many schools and apply to as many as they can, both safety and "reach" schools. Also, I would advise students to apply for financial aid and scholarships early. I had the GPA and extra-curriculars to attend a better school, but couldn't afford it. Students could avoid that trap by taking advantage of their school's advisors and career center to find scholarships and financial aid that will allow them to go to the best school possible. Students should also consider the social aspect of schools as much as the academic aspects. I wish I had chosen a smaller school that had more school spirit and a traditional university atmosphere. Students need to consider all aspects of many schools to make an informed decision.

There are many things to consider when selecting a college. The number one thing to think about is money. How is your financial situation? You need to consider the cost of tuition, books and the cost of living in the city that the college is in. The less loans that there are to pay after college the better off both the student and his/hers parents will be. I, personally, chose to attend Jr. College my first two years because of the cost of living and tuition. Now, I do not have to pay back a large amount of loans, I was able to get a great education within in the city I grew up in, I have to spend less time in college because I was able to get all of my classes and attend summer school, and it enabled me to be accepted into the nursing program at the school I currently attend. Finances are a large part of college education, but there are also other aspects to consider like location, diversity, availble study spaces , and the ratio of faculty to students. Students should know the enviornment where they learn best. Choose a school that fits your lifestyle.

Make sure to visit the college during the school-year so you can get a first hand experience and ask students who attend and know it well.

First of all, I would ask the students to listen to themselves and think about what they want out of their education, not what their parents or family and friends want. Speaking from personal experience, my major was influenced by my parents. My family wanted me to become a teacher like them and also for a broader educational foundation. I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad, which exponentially expanded my view of the world. I not only leaned a new language, but also gained new cultural perspectives. In addition, I came back to the U.S. with a whole new appreciation for what I had. Immediately after I returned, I switched my major to Communications Studies, because my experience abroad revealed the nuances of intercultural communication and and the value of appreciating the diverse world we live in. Therefore, I urge all college applicants to stay in touch with their heat's desire, get involved in their university's clubs, and talk to professors for guidance along the way. Also, remember, the opportunity to study abroad is an invaluabe growth experience and is a journey to be considered by all.

I would tell parents that even if they have financial issues they should definitely encourage their children to obtain a higher education. Part of going to college is finding the right atmosphere and right campus. Strudents should go to a college in which they feel comfortable and welcome. Students should also go to a college where their area of study or major is included in the colleges major options. The point of college is to be able to learn about things that one is interested in so that one day, one may be able to obtain a profession that they love as opposed to living their life working where they would rather not. One should be able to go to a classroom in which their teacher is actually passionate about what they are teaching. Today, i am a junior double majoring in cellular and molecular biology and chemistry and minoring in human sexuality with a GPA of 3.4. I hope to one day become a cosmetic dentist. Thanks to my school and family, every day I am one step closer to acheiving that dream.

Visit the college before you make a decision. Most people will go attend a college based on the word of someone else who went there, but they may have liked something you didn't. It's really important to spend a day or two on campus, to sit in a class, and see if you can imagine yourself being there for four years.

Visit the campus first. Sit in on classes(if possible). Talk to current students and professors. Walk through the library. Eat at different restaurants or cafe's on campus. People watch to get a sense of who you/your student will be surrounding his/herself with. Talk to the advisor for the students major to see what classes need to be taken so he/she can form a plan of necessary courses. Check out the surrounding area to the campus i.e. local businesses, parks. Find the parking lot or bus stop. Talk to the University police about the amount of crime/incidents that occur on campus. But most of all...Have fun! College is an AWESOME experience that everyone should try at least once.

Keep encouraging them to learn at school, for school is tough.

Choose an area that will make you happy. It is important to not go to a school solely because of academia. All the friends I have, who have gone to a school, and not loved the area, regardless of how strong academically is have left, done poorly, or just been plain miserable. School is important, but to be able to deal with school, you have to be happy, and there is nothign that can make you happier than an area that is accomidating to what you want in life. College isn't just about finding a career, its about growing up and becomming independent through experience and education. It takes work, maturity, and the willingness to do absolutely what you do not want too.

My best advice for college bound students is pick a college that is right fit Our parents and friends hold us to certain expectations, but in the end we have to live with the decisions that we make. I would recommend visiting a college before making a four year commitment. Make sure it is the right environment for you socially, academically and psychologically. Sometimes the top ranked colleges are not the right fit for every individual. I can?t stress enough the importance of physically going to the college and checking out the city or town it resides in. Its only when a student see the college through their own eyes can a good decision be made. College is a difficult and rewarding experience, it is important to take your classes seriously and also have fun. It is the only time we have the freedom to learn and grow. I also advise students with learning disabilities not to be discouraged but seek out support at there colleges. College is a chance to expand out knowledge and visions, which in the end makes us successful individuals in life and our chosen career path. And most importantly don't ever give up.

Make sure you know what makes you want to go there and why. When you go, be open minded because anything really is possible and if you are close minded, you won't appriciate the things around you that everyone else is able to. Make sure you are able to manage your time. There needs to be some set time for homework and studying in order for you to be successful in your work, but also make sure youre setting a time to hang out with friends in order to maintain and further your socialization skills. Overall, try to think positively about your experience and your year will turn out to be just fine!

To parents and/or students, I would say, take your time. Because colleges are expensive you do not want to pay thousands of dollars in tution and possibly move far away from home just to find out that you hate it there. Research the colleges that you want to go to thoroughly and visit the colleges as well, so that you can get a feel for the campus. Don't be afraid to talk to students and faculty about how they like the college. Pick the college not only for the major that you might eventually want to study, but also based on where it is, meaning rural, urban, and how much it costs. Even though costs is not the most important aspect, you do not want to spend your college years worrying about money. In the end, the only person who can know what is the right college for them is the student.

In finding the "right" college, there is an undeniable amount of pressure and weight involved in the decion-making process. This stress may be conveyed by the parents, the student, or both- regardless, it is important to reassess the reality of the situation and to hone the emotional stress as something beneficial. Your college choice should not be seen as your life's ultimate defining decision, the end all be all of your future career. Rather, it should be seen as an exciting time of personal enrichment, a valuable phase of your emotional, educational, and intellectual development. In choosing the best college for yourself, consider how the institution will add to all these aspects of your development. Just because the school fits your academic criteria, it may not cultivate your creative goals -or vice versa. The decision comes through tuning into your own instinct and logic. Instinctually, you have to decipher if the college supplies an environment that compliments you as an individual. And logically, you need to consider if the college supplies the tools that you need to reach your future career goals. Together, your instinct and logic will lead you to the best choice in a college.

My best advice is to follow your gut instinct. If you make a decision based on how someone else feels, you will regret not doing what you really want. Even if it doesn't work out the way you planned, you can always change your mind. When I was trying to choose a college, I was set on going to my dream college with my best friend. When it came down to it though, I changed my mind at the last minute to not go that far. I chose San Francisco State University which is only an hour away from where I grew up, and I've been extremely happy here. I sometimes wonder what it would have been like if I chose differently, but I have no regrets. The same goes for choosing a major. You have plenty of time. Try out different things. You may find that you hate what you thought you loved, or that you love what you thought you hated. Try whatever it is that you want to do. That way, you have the satisfaction of experiencing it for yourself, and making a decision that best suits your interests.

I would tell the parents to prepare for the cost of college as soon as your child is born. As they go through grammer school, be as much involved as you possibly can with their education so that your child feels and sees the importance of education from the beginning. Make sure that your child applies for colleges while they are in high school so that they attend immediatley after high school. I recommed for students to visit as many campuses as they can. College is the funnest time you will ever have and the education you can recieve is the most useful tool you can ever posses. Learning is power, and the more you learn the more powerul you can be. There is a lot that a college degree can offer you, so take advantage of it.

The advice I would give students about finding the right college is to consider more than just academics. While the primary purpose for attending college is to learn and attain practical skills and knowledge necessary for a future career, students will be spending a significant amount of their time on the campus doing more than sitting in a classroom and studying. College is an experience, and potential college students should take into account the whole college environment when choosing the right one for themselves. The student population, quality of campus life, and recreational activities are just a few aspects of that environment that they should think about when making their decision. As for making the most of the college experience, students should take advantage of the services, events, and activities offered. Colleges put on graduate school fairs and offer job advising, extracurricular activities, and sports. In addition to receiving mentoring and making connections with possible future employers, students can also make new friends, get involved on campus and in the surrounding community, and have fun. College is a young adult's first opportunity to experience freedom and take the first step towards growing into an independent, educated, well-rounded individual.

Attend/search a college that best fits the student personality. Since that is broad, finding the best is upon there academic and best programs that is known world-wide or locally. Some people are really confused if it is possible visit the campus for the feel of the envirnoment.

I believe that picking a school is one of the hardest decisions that a young person can make. Leaving home can be scary and intimidating. In order to find your niche, you must feel comfortable. You don't have to know what you want to do yet, but in the right enviornment with the right support where you feel at ease, the answer will sing to you from all directions. And then you know you've made the right choice. Make mistakes, experiment, work hard, and most importantly be open to new things. If you can find a school that makes you feel this way, you've found a winner.

Go with your heart! Go to the school that supports your major, but also the school you fall in love with the second you see it.

Find a school that has the best support system and interest for your needs. If you don't know what to do, find a school that provides oppurtunities to explore different feilds outside of the classroom. A school in a larger city also is great to explore for social and educational reasons. Don't be worried about not knowing people, especially if you live in a dorm, there are many ways to meet and befriend people. Most importantly, visit the schools you are interested in ans see which campus is the most comfortable for you, especially in terms of safety when you have late night classes.

make sure you like the weather and think about a 2 year college